The number of males dying from drug-related causes in Northern Ireland has almost doubled over the past ten years.
The most recent available figures, released today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), reveal that 136 people died from drug-related causes during 2017.
The vast majority of those deaths, 101, were males. That is an increase of 98% since 2007.
The number of female related drug deaths, 35, is unchanged over the same period.
Most of the deaths, around two thirds, were the result of the misuse of prescription drugs.
"When we talk about drug misuse and related deaths people often assume that we must mean illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine and ecstasy," said PSNI Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton.
"Whilst these drugs cause serious harm and can be fatal, the majority of deaths in Northern Ireland are due to the misuse of a variety of prescription medicines, often with alcohol and illicit drugs."
Northern Ireland’s Coroner Joe McCrisken said there was an increasing problem with "poly drug misuse", which is mixing more than one drug.
Some of those who died had taken a cocktail of up to seven different drugs, as well as alcohol.
The figures reveal that, as in previous years, the largest number of drug-related deaths occurred in those aged between 25 and 34.
A person’s social background is also a factor, with notably higher numbers of drug-related deaths in areas of deprivation.
NISRA says people living in the most deprived areas are four times more likely to die from a drug-related death than those in the least deprived areas.
The PSNI say there are around 90 organised crime gangs are currently operating in Northern Ireland, with around 60 involved in the supply of drugs.
Of those gangs, 21 have cross-border links including connections to the Kinahan and Hutch drug gangs.
The police say this is not a new development as those connections have been established over a number of years.
However, there is a concern that the ongoing feud between the two factions could at some stage extend to Northern Ireland.
The PSNI says its Organised Crime Unit has arrested 1,291 for suspected drug offences since April 2016.
During that time it seized drugs with an estimated street value of £17.2m.
